WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in the world, with over 2 billion users globally. To use WhatsApp, you need to register your phone number. This connects your WhatsApp account to your phone number so you can send and receive messages.
How does WhatsApp registration work?
When you first install WhatsApp on your phone, you will be prompted to enter your phone number. This number needs to be the one associated with your SIM card. WhatsApp will then send a 6-digit verification code to your phone via SMS. You need to enter this code to verify your number and complete the registration process.
Here are the steps to register your number on WhatsApp:
- Download and install WhatsApp on your phone
- Open WhatsApp and agree to the Terms of Service
- Enter your country code and phone number on the registration screen
- Tap the “Next” button. WhatsApp will send a verification code to your number via SMS
- Once received, enter the 6-digit verification code in WhatsApp
- Tap “Verify”. Your number will now be registered with your WhatsApp account
This verification process confirms that you own the phone number and helps keep WhatsApp accounts secure. You can only register a number that you own or have regular access to. WhatsApp does not allow you to use a random or temporary number.
Why is WhatsApp number registration required?
There are several important reasons why WhatsApp requires registration with a valid phone number:
- Identity and account security – By verifying your number, WhatsApp can confirm your identity and secure your account. This prevents fake or duplicate accounts.
- Better user experience – Number verification provides you a better WhatsApp experience as you can easily find and message your contacts who are also using WhatsApp.
- Deliver messages – WhatsApp uses your number to deliver messages and notifications. Without registering, WhatsApp cannot send code verifications or confirm deliveries.
- Spam/abuse prevention – Mandatory registration reduces spam by making it harder for scammers or abusers to misuse WhatsApp anonymously.
- Legal compliance – In some countries, registration is required to comply with local telecom regulations.
Overall, WhatsApp number registration improves the security, privacy, and usability of the platform for genuine users. It provides trust and accountability between users.
How to change your registered WhatsApp number
If you want to use WhatsApp with a new phone number, you will need to change your registered number. Here are the steps:
- Install WhatsApp on your new phone and enter your new number during setup.
- WhatsApp will detect your old number is already registered. Tap “Change Number”.
- Enter your old phone number and tap “Next”. WhatsApp will send a verification code to your old number.
- Enter the 6-digit verification code on your new phone to confirm the change.
- All your WhatsApp account info, groups, and chats will transfer over to your new number.
- Notify your WhatsApp contacts that you have changed your number.
Things to note when changing your WhatsApp number:
- You will be logged out from your old number once the change is complete.
- Your account on the old number will be deleted after 45 days if not reused.
- You can only change numbers once every 90 days.
- Always transfer your account safely using the Change Number feature, don’t just uninstall and reinstall.
Using WhatsApp with multiple devices
Originally, WhatsApp could only be used on one smartphone with your registered number. But now, the platform supports linking up to 4 additional devices using multi-device beta:
- Portal – Link your Facebook Portal smart display.
- Desktop app – Use WhatsApp on your PC or Mac.
- Companion device – Link another phone or tablet.
To use an additional device:
- On your main smartphone, go to WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices.
- Tap on the device type you want to link.
- Open WhatsApp on the secondary device and scan the QR code shown on your main phone.
- The devices will now be linked. You can use WhatsApp on both simultaneously.
Things to note about multi-device:
- Your main smartphone still needs to remain connected to the internet.
- Notifications and calls will still only go to your main device.
- You can unlink a device anytime from your main phone’s Linked Devices menu.
Using WhatsApp on multiple phones with the same number
WhatsApp’s multi-device feature allows linking your account to additional devices but only one smartphone can actively use your number at a time. However, there are some workarounds to use WhatsApp on two phones with the same number:
Dual SIM phones
If you have a dual SIM phone, you can use your WhatsApp number in SIM 1 and a second number in SIM 2. Install WhatsApp on both SIM profiles. You can then switch between them on a single device.
Clone apps
Clone app functionality allows duplicating an app on Android. Install a WhatsApp clone like Dual Space or Parallel Space. Link the clone to your number. You now have two WhatsApp instances.
App sandboxing
Island and Shelter are apps that sandbox other apps, separating their data. Install WhatsApp in the work profile and personal profile. Link both to your number for simultaneous use.
Remote control apps
TeamViewer and scrcpy allow remote controlling your smartphone from a PC. Install WhatsApp on your phone and PC. Link both devices to your number and control your phone remotely.
Using a whatsapp number on multiple devices
While you cannot use the same WhatsApp number on two phones simultaneously, there are some solutions that provide similar functionality:
Dual SIM phones
Dual SIM phones let you use your WhatsApp number in one SIM and a separate number in the second SIM. You can switch between the two numbers easily.
Number masking apps
Apps like Dual Space, 2Numbers, etc. can mask your second number to appear as your first number. Install WhatsApp with your primary number on Phone A. On Phone B, use the masking app to clone WhatsApp and display your primary number, while actually using your second number.
Multiple user profiles
On Android phones that support user profiles, you can configure a second profile and install a separate WhatsApp instance linked to your primary number or a secondary number.
App cloning solutions
Tools like Parallel Space or Dual App allow cloning WhatsApp so you can install it twice on the same phone. Link one clone to your primary number and the second clone to a different number.
Conclusion
While WhatsApp’s intended use is with one phone number on one device, there are some creative workarounds that provide similar dual-use functionality. Dual SIM devices, dual apps, number masking, user profiles, and remote apps can enable using your WhatsApp number across multiple smartphones and tablets simultaneously.
However, it’s important to note that WhatsApp does not officially recommend or support using the same number on two devices at once. Some solutions involve masking your real number or violating WhatsApp’s terms by sharing verification codes. Use these approaches at your own discretion.
For most users, WhatsApp’s native multi-device feature provides sufficient cross-device versatility within the app’s intended security model. But for advanced use cases, the methods discussed above can allow more flexible utilization.
Overall, while not directly supported, there are ways to bend the rules to get your WhatsApp number working on multiple phones if needed. Each approach has its own pros, cons, and risks to evaluate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use one WhatsApp number on two iPhones?
Unfortunately no, you cannot use the same WhatsApp number on two iPhones simultaneously. iPhone does not support dual SIMs or app cloning. You’ll have to use different phone numbers for each device.
Can I verify my WhatsApp number on two phones?
No, you cannot verify the same number on two phones at the same time. The verification code is tied to one device during activation. Trying to verify simultaneously on a second device will fail.
Is using the same WhatsApp number on two phones safe?
Using your WhatsApp number on two phones increases security risks. Your messages and data will be duplicated across devices, posing privacy issues. Banned accounts could also be restored on the second device.
Can I use WhatsApp on an iPad or tablet?
Yes, you can use WhatsApp on an iPad or Android tablet by linking your WhatsApp account using the WhatsApp Web feature. This mirrors your phone’s WhatsApp account onto the tablet.
How do I transfer my WhatsApp chats to a new number?
First, backup your WhatsApp chats on your old number. Then, register your new number and verify it. On the new number, restore chats from the backup to transfer your messages.
Can I use WhatsApp on two phones with different numbers?
Yes, you can use WhatsApp with two different phone numbers on two phones. Simply install WhatsApp and register with each number on the respective devices. No special setup required.
Is having two WhatsApp accounts allowed?
WhatsApp’s terms of service allow you to use two different WhatsApp accounts on two phones with two different verified phone numbers. However, duplicating the same number across accounts violates their policies.